- A
`show route 10.0.0.0/24 extensive`
Why wrong: Extensive output provides routing table details but not the forwarding table.
- B
`show route forwarding-table destination 10.0.0.0/24`
This command displays the forwarding table, which shows the actual next-hops used for forwarding, including load-balanced paths.
- C
`show route protocol isis`
Why wrong: This shows all ISIS routes, not specific next-hop usage for a destination.
- D
`show route 10.0.0.0/24 detail`
Why wrong: This shows the routing table entry but may not explicitly indicate which next-hops are used for load balancing in hardware.
Question 392 of 514
Verifying Load-Balanced Next-Hops
This JNCIA-JUNOS practice question tests your understanding of routing fundamentals. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A router has two ISIS adjacencies to the same router, both with equal metrics. The router installs both routes in the routing table and performs load balancing. The network team wants to verify that both next-hops are being used for a particular destination. Which command provides this information?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"which command"Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Quick Answer
The answer is `show route forwarding-table destination 10.0.0.0/24`. This command is the correct choice because it displays the forwarding table, which is the actual hardware or kernel-level table used to forward packets, and it explicitly shows all next-hops being used for load-balanced destinations. While the routing table may list multiple paths, only the forwarding table confirms that both next-hops are actively installed and utilized in the data plane. On the JNCIA-Junos exam, this question tests your understanding of the critical distinction between the routing table (control plane) and the forwarding table (forwarding plane), a common trap where students mistakenly rely on `show route` output. A useful memory tip is: "Routes are thought, forwards are fought"—the routing table thinks about paths, but the forwarding table fights the traffic, so always check the forwarding table to verify actual load-balanced next-hop usage.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
`show route forwarding-table destination 10.0.0.0/24`
Option B is correct because the `show route forwarding-table destination 10.0.0.0/24` command displays the actual forwarding entries in the Packet Forwarding Engine (PFE), including all next-hops used for load balancing. Unlike the routing table, the forwarding table shows which next-hops are actively installed and used for forwarding traffic, making it the definitive command to verify equal-cost multipath (ECMP) usage.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
`show route 10.0.0.0/24 extensive`
Why it's wrong here
Extensive output provides routing table details but not the forwarding table.
- ✓
`show route forwarding-table destination 10.0.0.0/24`
Why this is correct
This command displays the forwarding table, which shows the actual next-hops used for forwarding, including load-balanced paths.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
`show route protocol isis`
Why it's wrong here
This shows all ISIS routes, not specific next-hop usage for a destination.
- ✗
`show route 10.0.0.0/24 detail`
Why it's wrong here
This shows the routing table entry but may not explicitly indicate which next-hops are used for load balancing in hardware.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume `show route` commands (like `detail` or `extensive`) confirm actual forwarding behavior, but in Junos, only the forwarding table reveals which next-hops are truly used for packet forwarding, especially under ECMP.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Extensive output provides routing table details but not the forwarding table.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Junos, the routing table (RPD) and forwarding table (PFE) are separate; the `show route` commands query the routing table, which may hold multiple next-hops but does not guarantee they are all used for forwarding due to hardware limitations or hashing algorithms. The `show route forwarding-table` command queries the PFE's kernel forwarding table, which reflects the actual ECMP next-hops installed after route resolution and load-balancing decisions. This distinction is critical in scenarios where the routing table shows multiple paths but the forwarding table only uses a subset due to hardware constraints or configuration (e.g., `maximum-paths`).
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the JNCIA-JUNOS exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Routing Fundamentals — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this JNCIA-JUNOS question test?
Routing Fundamentals — This question tests Routing Fundamentals — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: `show route forwarding-table destination 10.0.0.0/24` — Option B is correct because the `show route forwarding-table destination 10.0.0.0/24` command displays the actual forwarding entries in the Packet Forwarding Engine (PFE), including all next-hops used for load balancing. Unlike the routing table, the forwarding table shows which next-hops are actively installed and used for forwarding traffic, making it the definitive command to verify equal-cost multipath (ECMP) usage.
What should I do if I get this JNCIA-JUNOS question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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